John Tams was a member of Derbyshire folk group Muckram Wakes in the 1970s, then worked with Ashley Hutchings as singer and melodeon-player on albums including 'Son of Morris On', and as a member of The Albion Band. Splitting with Hutchings in the 1980s he formed Home Service. Now a solo performer - fronting a folk-rock band, or in a duo with Barry Coope.
Tams has released several solo albums including 'Unity' (2001), 'Home' (2002) and 'The Reckoning' (2005); all of which have met with well-deserved critical acclaim. At the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Tams won Album of the Year for 'The Reckoning', Best Traditional Track (for 'Bitter Withy') and Singer of the Year. Tams is the only artist to have won the Album of the Year award twice, the first time was with his first solo album 'Unity' in 2001.
Tams may be best known to the general public through having played one of the supporting roles in the ITV drama series Sharpe as one of the "Chosen Men" as rifleman and former poacher Daniel Hagman, a whimsical, sober, steady hand in the 95th Rifles always ready with a deadly eye behind a Baker rifle, a folk remedy for an ailment, or a song for a weary heart. In 1996, Tams collaborated with fellow British folk musician Kate Rusby (and others) on a companion CD to the television series titled Over the Hills & Far Away: The Music of Sharpe.
Tams was a Musical Director and actor at the National Theatre from 1976 to 1985 and then again from 1999 to 2001, working on such shows as The Mysteries, Larkrise to Candleford, Glengarry Glenross, The Crucible, Golden Boy, The Good Hope and The Mysteries Revival in 1999. He was a member of the creative team headed by Bill Bryden.
In 2006, Tams became musical director of the BBC Radio 2 2006 Radio Ballads, an updating of Ewan MacColl's Radio Ballads. The series was short-listed for two Sony Radio Awards in 2007. The song Steelos, written by Tams for the Song Of Steel episode of the 2006 Ballads, was nominated Best Original Song at the 2006 Radio 2 Folk Awards. Tams then worked on a stage version of Steelos performed at The Magna Centre in the Rother Valley in 2009.
Early in 2007, Tams was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University which was presented in November 2007. He is married to Sally Tams, his manager, and they have a daughter, Rosie.
In 2011-12, Home Service reformed and resumed touring. They were awarded Best Live Act at the BBC Folk Awards 2012.
Whole New Vision
John Tams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just done a deal with Errol Flynn
He's going to make a movie where the Indians win He's got a whole new vision
Whole new vision And there's a barbed wire salesman at my door
He's been in business since the First World War
And he's selling more now than ever before He's got a whole new vison
Whole new vision I set my dog and I told him stay
He looked at me and then he walked away
Whole new vision And you're born - you live and you grow old
And someday soon you'll be out in the cold
Be like my dog - don't do as you're told Get a whole new vision
Whole new vision There's a man keeps shouting from my t.v.
Don't vote for him you've got to vote for me! The more I look - the less I see He's got a whole new vision
Whole new vision And Geronimo, he came in
Just done a deal with Errol Flynn
They're going to make a movie where the Indians win He's got a whole new vision
Whole new vision
The lyrics of John Tams's song Whole New Vision describe the need for a fresh perspective, a new vision. The reference to Geronimo and Errol Flynn making a movie where the Indians win represents a shift in how stories are told. Traditionally, the portrayal of Native Americans in Hollywood films was negative and stereotypical. Geronimo's new vision offers a different way to tell a story, one that acknowledges the perspective of Native Americans and their struggles in the face of colonialism.
The barbed wire salesman at the door is symbolic of the limitations and boundaries society places on us. Even though his business has been around for a long time, he is still selling more than ever, which suggests that people are still building barriers and walls. The dog that ignores his owner's commands represents the need to break free from old ways of thinking and adopt a new perspective. The man shouting from the TV represents politics and the need to look beyond the surface-level promises of politicians and see their true intentions.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to embrace a whole new vision, to see the world in a different light and to reject the limitations imposed by society.
Line by Line Meaning
Geronimo, he came in
The famous Native American warrior Geronimo arrives.
Just done a deal with Errol Flynn
Geronimo has just struck a business deal with actor and filmmaker Errol Flynn.
He's going to make a movie where the Indians win
Together, Geronimo and Flynn plan to create a film depicting the Native Americans as victorious characters.
He's got a whole new vision
Whole new vision
Geronimo has a fresh perspective and innovative ideas for showcasing his people in a new light.
And there's a barbed wire salesman at my door
Someone selling barbed wire has come to the singer's house.
He's been in business since the First World War
The barbed wire salesman has been selling his product since the early 1900s.
And he's selling more now than ever before
His sales are booming currently.
He's got a whole new vison
Whole new vision
The salesman has a new approach and strategy to promote his product.
I set my dog and I told him stay
The singer instructed his dog to sit and stay in one location.
He looked at me and then he walked away
The dog ignored the command and chose to do its own thing.
He never listens to a word that I say
The singer's dog generally ignores his orders or requests.
He's got a whole new vision
Whole new vision
The dog has its own ideas and agenda independent of its owner.
And you're born - you live and you grow old
The circle of life encompasses these stages beginning with birth, leading into life, and culminating in aging.
And someday soon you'll be out in the cold
Inevitably, everyone will face moments of isolation, separation, or rejection.
Be like my dog - don't do as you're told
The singer advises listeners to embody the dog's behavior of not following every direction given to them.
Get a whole new vision
Whole new vision
Find a fresh and unique perspective on life and how to navigate it.
There's a man keeps shouting from my t.v.
The television is broadcasting a man who is continuously yelling.
Don't vote for him you've got to vote for me!
The man on the television is encouraging viewers to support him politically.
The more I look - the less I see
The more the singer observes the political landscape, the less clear it becomes.
He's got a whole new vision
Whole new vision
The political candidate has a unique game plan and method for addressing issues.
And Geronimo, he came in
Once again, Geronimo enters the scene.
Just done a deal with Errol Flynn
Geronimo and Errol Flynn have concluded a business transaction together.
They're going to make a movie where the Indians win
Geronimo and Flynn have decided to create a movie showcasing Native Americans coming out on top.
He's got a whole new vision
Whole new vision
Geronimo remains innovative, imaginative, and forward-thinking in his ideas about his people.
Contributed by Katherine J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.